Drug shows promise in kids with autism, researchers say

6:18 PM,
Feb. 10, 2014

Researchers in France are testing a new drug on children with autism.

Written by

Karen Weintraub, Special for USA TODAY

Building on what they hope will be an important insight into the cause of autism, French researchers are testing a high blood pressure medication on dozens of European children with autism.

The team, which has a financial stake in the drug, has tried it on 30 children with autism; now they are testing it in more, hoping to improve core characteristics of autism for the first time.

There are drugs to treat some of autism's symptoms, but none that address the underlying social and communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors, which define the condition. Previous attempts to develop an ...